Film Beat

LESBIAN S&M LOVE STORY IMPRESSES CRITICS

Imagine an alternate plane populated only with intellectual women and sparkling with intense visuals, music, and sounds. Such is the world of The Duke of Burgundy that has won over audiences and set critics abuzz. With a cumulative score from film critics on Rotten Tomatoes’ review site of 97 percent, this English-language import is golden.

Leslie Felperin (The Hollywood Reporter) reviewed the film at the Toronto International Film Festival:

“Visually ravishing, emotionally wise, and kinky as a coiled rope, writer- director Peter Strickland’s third feature ‘The Duke of Burgundy’ is a delight…it features Sidse Babett Knudsen and Chiara D’Anna as lovers who like to play mistress and servant.”

But there is an intriguing twist in this tale of control and submission: Evelyn (D’Anna), the submissive partner, is the one who controls the scenarios and dialogue. The mechanics are fascinating, lively, and believably conveyed. There is a sly sense of humor that could be overlooked in a film with themes of dominance and submission. Here, it lends realistic texture and relief from taking itself too seriously. The strength of this film is that astounding eye and ear candy are backdrop to layered and fully-formed characters and an inventive plot.

Don’t be fooled by the sensuous preview trailer which markets this film as sex-centric—this is very much a film about love and what it means to these women. While one guides the scenarios, but casts herself in the submissive role, it almost seems as if the other—who assumes the dominant role—is insecure and even apprehensive, and might be more comfortable in a vanilla relationship.

Mike D’Angelo of The Onion A.V. Club writes, “‘The Duke of Burgundy’ is a beautiful love story disguised as stylish smut. At its core, this is one of the most incisive, penetrating, and empathetic films ever made about what it truly means to love another person, audaciously disguised as salacious midnight-movie fare. No better picture is likely to surface all year.”

That’s high praise for any film to live up to. D’Angelo is not alone in his opinion. The production design, lighting, ’70s mood and textures, music track by Cat’s Eye, and layering of imagery and insect sounds all garner rave reviews. While bored housewives are waiting around on “Fifty Shades of Beige,” Burgundy promises to deliver vibrant and lasting impressions.

“The Duke of Burgundy” plays exclusively at Landmark Theaters beginning February 13.

MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE

Michele Josue is a classmate of Matt Shepard’s from his boarding school days in Switzerland. The film has spent the last year gathering acclaim on the U.S. film festival circuit—including four Best Documentary nods—and was screened in Russia at the Side-by-Side Film Festival in St. Petersburg. It rolls out in major cities beginning February 6, and opens in Denver Feb. 27. Josue’s film is a very personal homage to Matt, who was killed in 1998 ago in a hate crime that tore open consciousness worldwide. Having known Matt personally, Josue’s debut film documentary offers intimacy not before seen.
The film opens Feb. 27 at AMC Cherry Creek. Screening info nationwide and tickets available at MattShepardIsAFriendOfMine.com/screenings